HAWTHORNE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully test fired
SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will play a critical role in the
company’s efforts to change the future of human spaceflight.

“These engines will
power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the
safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth
or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.”

“SuperDraco engines represent the best of cutting edge technology,” said
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer. “These engines will
power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the
safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth
or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.”

The SuperDraco is an advanced version of the Draco engines currently
used by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during
reentry. As part of SpaceX’s state-of-the-art launch escape system,
eight SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the Dragon
spacecraft will produce up to 120,000 pounds of axial thrust to carry
astronauts to safety should an emergency occur during launch.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program awarded SpaceX $75 million in April of
last year to begin work developing the escape system in order to prepare
the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. Less than nine months later,
SpaceX engineers have designed, built and tested the engine.

In a series of recent tests conducted at the company’s Rocket
Development Facility in McGregor, Texas, the SuperDraco sustained full
duration, full thrust firing as well as a series of deep throttling
demonstrations.

SpaceX’s launch escape system has many advantages over past systems. It
is inherently safer because it is not jettisoned like all other escape
systems. This distinction provides astronauts with the unprecedented
ability to escape from danger at any point during the launch, not just
in the first few minutes. The eight SuperDracos provide redundancy, so
that even if one engine fails an escape can still be carried out
successfully.

SuperDracos can also be restarted multiple times if necessary and the
engines will have the ability to deep throttle, providing astronauts
with precise control and enormous power. In addition, as a part of a
recoverable Dragon spacecraft, the engines can be used repeatedly,
helping to advance SpaceX’s long-term goal of making spacecraft more
like airplanes, which can be flown again and again with minimal
maintenance between flights.